At the outset of the January meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council, chairman Hayes welcomed Clarissa Wells, the Conservation Area officer, to the meeting to present the Draft Report on the Conservation Area proposals for Saundersfoot.
Chairman Hayes said that she and Clr. Cavell were members of this group. Miss Wells informed members that this document was phase II of the Conservation Area proposals and was one of 14 being undertaken in Pembrokeshire.
She said that all comments on the report had been noted and were enclosed with the draft and asked for the approval of members prior to it being approved by the National Parks.
Clr. Talbot asked if the National Park were prepared to assist with traditional refurbishment with 21st century materials, and if National Park insisted on traditional materials being used would they assist with the maintenance.
Miss Wells said that the draft was a very broad document and the opinion was that UPVC materials were not encouraged and there would be no grants available for these materials being used.
Miss Wells continued to say that the National Parks had two controls within the Conservation Area and they were the demolition of buildings and the lopping and felling of trees. She said that the National Parks would assist as much as possible unless the buildings were listed.
Miss Wells said that the approach was for residents to carry out work to maintain the character of their properties and to raise the profile of the area.
Clr. John asked how many listed buildings there were in Saundersfoot. Miss Wells said there are very few, although some properties at the top of Milford Terrace were listed.
Clr. Cleevely said that it was an excellent report and congratulated everyone involved in compiling it. He said it had covered everything in Saundersfoot.
Chairman Hayes said that she was sorry that not many people had attended the exhibition on the report in the Regency Hall.
Miss Wells said that the report would be on view in the local library for people to study.
It was proposed by Clr. Cleevely and seconded by Clr. Brabon that the document be accepted by the council. All members were in favour.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Chairman Hayes said that she had opened the St. Nicholas Market in Saundersfoot and had switched on the village Christmas lights. Along with Clrs. Poole and Brabon she had also judged the best stall on the market.
Chairman Hayes said that the Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism should be congratulated on again organising a very successful market.
Chairman Hayes said she had been invited to judge the fancy dress at the New Year Day's Swim in Saundersfoot. Again she said it was an excellent day and a lovely atmosphere. She again congratulated the Saundersfoot Festivities Association for a well organised event.
Chairman Hayes reported that the directional signs to the car parks had been erected and this had been long awaited by the council and the Saundersfoot Forum.
Chairman Hayes was pleased to read that Pentlepoir School had carried out a litter pick on Coppet Hall beach and asked for a letter of thanks to be sent to the headmaster.
MATTERS ARISING
FROM THE MINUTES
Dispensation: A letter was received from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding this issue and stated that members who were representatives of the community council on other organisations were able to speak on matters affecting those organisations, but were not allowed to vote by virtue of paragraph 12 of the Code of Conduct.
The letter went on to say that the regulations and guidance in respect of dispensations were somewhat technical and suggested that a meeting be arranged with Mr. Huw James, director of support and cultural services, to explain the requirements in more detail. The clerk was instructed to arrange a meeting.
Parking at The Glen: A letter from the county council stated that the suggestion for double yellow lines on the south-west side of The Glen had been put to the local member for endorsement. Chairman Hayes again said that all residents were to be canvassed on the matter prior to any traffic order being drawn up.
Litter, cycle track: A letter from the county council stated that the litter would be removed from behind the seats on the cycle track from Saundersfoot to Wiseman's Bridge.
Horses on Incline footpath: Mr. Roger Hooper, the rights of way officer, county council, intended placing 'No Horse' waymarks on this route, but said it would be helpful if the community council could identify the individual using this footpath so that the county council could write to them.
Erosion of beach: A letter was received from the county council stating that the shingle bank at the rear of the Strand had been a concern for some time and a proposal to construct a new wall was rejected by residents about 10 years ago. The county council were currently considering a new proposal which would need consultation with all the owners of the properties concerned.
Street lighting: A letter was received from the county council stating that night inspections were carried out every two weeks in Saundersfoot and if any lights were causing concern it was advised that the service line number 0845 602 1386 be contacted quoting the exact location and the street light number.
Hedge, Stammers Road: A letter from the county council stated that the hedge on the new wall on Stammers Road was the responsibility of the owners of the gardens and the streetcare section would be writing to the owners asking that the hedges be cut back.
Moss, Bevelin Hall pavement: A letter from the county council stated that the moss on this footpath would be cleared as soon as possible.
Cockling in Saundersfoot: Chairman Hayes reported to members that the cockle beds in Saundersfoot were to be environmentally assessed by the county council and if these results were favourable there would be commercial cockling in Saundersfoot. She said that the aim of the SWSFC was to promote fishing taking place, but licences had to be obtained.
Sensory Gardens, Saundersfoot: Clr. Poole reported that he had greased the gate entering the gardens and that Mr. Brian Harries had ordered the slate for the gardens, but would not carry out this work until late January.
Felling of trees, St. Issell's Cemetery: Clr. Lawrence said he had spoken to Hean Castle regarding the removal of the ash tree and that they were not prepared to remove it due to insurance cover. Clr. Lawrence suggested consulting a tree surgeon for advice and the clerk was instructed to contact Hean Castle for information with regard to cost of removal.
Clr. Poole said that the first priority was to erect a fence there and plant a hedge afterwards. The clerk was instructed to contact David Rees for advice on what type of fence to erect.
Clr. Cavell suggested contacting Mr. Duncan Hilling for advice on what type of hedge to plant there and the clerk was instructed to arrange a meeting with Mr. Hilling to discuss progress.
Clr. John said the sign informing the public of the work to be carried out would be erected as soon as possible.
Wiseman's Bridge bus shelter: The clerk informed members that he had obtained the cost of erecting a new shelter at Wiseman's Bridge and this would be £3,200, including installation. Members decided to obtain costs as to refurbishing the current shelter and this would include a new roof.
Replacement of seats, Beddoes Court: The clerk read out a letter from the shop owners at Beddoes Court objecting to the replacing of the seats at the privately owned land of the Bedoes Court residents. The reasons for objecting were that these benches attracted skateboarders and also litter which had to be cleared by the shopkeepers.
The clerk said he had spoken to Mr. Hopkins, assistant secretary of Beddoes Court (Saundersfoot) Ltd, and was told that the majority of the residents wanted the benches replaced.
Clr. Talbot said that this information would have to be in writing prior to making a decision.
Clr. Lawrence said that the seats were removed without permission and that was wrong.
Clr. Talbot replied that the seats were placed there without permission in the first instance.
It was proposed by chairman Hayes and seconded by Clr. Cleevely that the council write to Mr. Martin Woodhall, the chairman of the company, requesting that he seeks the views of all the residents of the flats as to whether or not they want the seats replaced.
AGENDA
Emptying of bins at St. Issell's Cemetery: The clerk informed members that Mr. Glyn Stephens, the contractor responsible for emptying the bins at the cemetery, was due to go into hospital for an operation and would be unable to carry out this work for approximately eight weeks. Members agreed that Mr. Graham Brace would carry out these duties during Mr. Stephens' absence.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Residential development, Rhodewood House Hotel.
Extension, 1 Bevelin Hall, Saundersfoot.
Decking, Morningside, Frances Road, Saundersfoot.
Extension, Lynwood, Sardis, Saundersfoot.
Extension, 72 Incline Way, Saundersfoot.
Timber Decking, Cliff Flat, Wogan Terrace, Saundersfoot.
Extension, Woodstock, Frances Road, Saundersfoot.
Extension, Brookfield, Westfield Road, Saundersfoot.
Extension, 6 Windsor Terrace, Saundersfoot.
Bungalow, Penlan, Ridgeway, Saundersfoot.
Change of use, first floor flat, Captains Table, Saundersfoot.
With regard to the bungalow at Penlan, members thought that this application would lead to over-development in this area, with access problems arising.
With regard to the decking at Morningside, members were concerned at the visual impact from the Strand and the beach.
Clrs. Talbot and Cavell declared an interest in the Penlan application, while Clr. Lawrence declared an interest in the Captains Table application and took no part in these debates.
CORRESPONDENCE
A letter was received from Clr. Peter Stock, cabinet member for the communities, with regard to the Informal Communication Network meeting in November and stressed that these meetings had been very successful in achieving positive outcomes and was sorry that no one had attended from Saundersfoot Community Council.
Members again said that the reason for this was that no responses were given to issues raised at these meetings and there was no point in attending.
The clerk was instructed to write to Clr. Stock with these reasons and enclose the list of issues prepared by Clr. Baker at the November meeting.
REPORTS FROM
VARIOUS COMMITTEES
Chairman Hayes reported that there had been two cliff falls in the Strand over Christmas and Pembrokeshire County Council had contacted Mr. Philip Evans on the matter.
Clr. Cavell said she had attended as assembly service at Saundersfoot School and the Bishop of St David's was present. It had proved to be a very enjoyable event.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Clr. Cavell reported severe flooding outside the Westfield Court flats and asked if anything could be done to prevent this happening. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that this be investigated.
Clr. Cavell said that the footpaths around the surgery needed cleaning and the clerk was instructed to write to the practice requesting that they be cleaned.
Clr. Cavell reported that there were no signs at the entrance of North Close. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that the signs be reinstated.
Clr. Talbot again praised the excellent service provided by the service line number 0845 602 1386 operated by the county council.
Clr. Talbot asked if the county council could gully suck the drains in Saundersfoot prior to the season commencing to prevent foul smells occurring in the summer. The clerk was instructed to write requesting that this work be carried out.
Clr. Baker asked if the council could write again to Mr. John Price, county council, requesting the following:
i) When would the hatching be done outside the Harbour entrance as promised some time ago?
ii) An inventory of the signage in Saundersfoot take place.
iii) Request an officer meets the council to explain how many litter bins there should be in Saundersfoot and where they should be located.
Clr. Cleevely reported that the sign 'No Right Turn' sign had disappeared from outside the Police Station and could cause motorists to turn into Frances Road by mistake. Clr. Cleevely also reported flooding on the Fan Road and on Westfield Road outside the entrance to the Doctors Surgery. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council on both issues.
Clr. Cleevely expressed his concern at the tennis court not being locked despite being minuted that they should be. The clerk was instructed to see Mr. Graham Brace on the matter.
Clr. Cleevely also was concerned that the Tom Cordon Slipway in Wiseman's Bridge had not been cleared of weeds as requested in a previous meeting. The clerk was again instructed to ask Mr. Brace to carry out this work and also to carry out more work in the Sensory Gardens during the winter months.
Clr. Lawrence reported that the notice boards outside the toilet at Coppet Hall was damaged and asked if it could be repaired. The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that this work be carried out.
Clr. Brabon asked if the work to create a pavement at the top of the Ridgeway into the Incline could be carried out as promised. He also expressed his concern at the condition of the pavements in the Strand and from the Post Office to Beddoes Court.
The clerk was instructed to write to the county council requesting that works be carried out as soon as possible.
The next meeting of the council will be held on February 5, at 7 pm.
PRECEPT
At a special meeting of the council, members decided to levy a precept of £28,500 for the year 2004/2005, a decrease of £1,500 on the previous year. Projects considered for 2004/2005 were funding of the New Year's Eve fireworks, extra Christmas lighting, refurbishment of the bus shelter at Wisemans Bridge and work at St. Issell's Cemetery.